Fundraising Efforts Not Affiliated With Police 08/08/00

The Hawaii County Police Department has no affiliation with a solicitation for funds by a group called the Hawaii Police Athletic Federation.

The Police Department has received a number of telephone calls from businesses asking if the department is involved in the fundraising efforts.

The Hawaii Police Athletic Federation was initially started to defray expenses for officers to attend the Police Olympics, and it now sponsors professional football players to play against local police on the various islands.

Callers said telemarketing companies raising funds for the organization have left the impression that the Police Department is involved with the private group.

The group also uses a decal similar to the shoulder patch of the Hawaii County Police Department’s uniform.

Assistant Chief Lawrence Mahuna said: “The Hawaii County Police Department is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of activities sponsored by the athletic federation, nor does it have any affiliation with the group.

“There is also no agreement, expressed or implied, between the department and the athletic federation to use the decal design.”